Fed. 300 W Mag. brass

[Steve Ladino]

Something I have noticed and have not noticed on the headstamps of various brass is the year of manufacturing. 08 , 09, 10 etc. Most always on military cases .38 .45, .223, .308, 30-06. Yesterday at a local gun show I got a good deal on some Remington and Federal once fired .300 Win Mag brass. The federal brass has the year of manufacture stamped on the case head...08 and 09. I didn't notice this when I bought it but did at home otherwise I would have asked if this was Military brass......Now does Federal headstamp the year on all their commercial and military brass or just military brass ?
The brass's headstamp looks commercial and very legible with no NATO markings, just the year stamp looks unusual to me ??

 

[granite1]

I have some Federal with and without the date stamp. I know the dated brass is GI. It does not have the NATO stamp.

 

[nso123]

Pretty sure it is GI brass with the dates. I will say that my experience with the GI brass in 300WM showed that the primer pockets were fairly soft. Some of the pockets on the once fired brass were already loose when I went to load them the first time.

 

[Steve Ladino]

Pretty sure it is GI brass with the dates. I will say that my experience with the GI brass in 300WM showed that the primer pockets were fairly soft. Some of the pockets on the once fired brass were already loose when I went to load them the first time.

Thanks …..for the good and bad news. Appreciate it.

 

[Steve Ladino]

I have some Federal with and without the date stamp. I know the dated brass is GI. It does not have the NATO stamp.

Thanks !

 

[onelastshot]

Military brass takes to much of a beating, you're going to find loose primers and crimp and ejection marks.

 

[granite1]

Military brass takes to much of a beating, you're going to find loose primers and crimp and ejection marks.

I think generally speaking that’s true, but the once fired Federal 300winmag brass I have has been in very good condition.